'I have no words': Captain angrily confronts fan over donkey banner

Lyon's qualification for the Champions League round of 16 was overshadowed by chaotic scenes at the conclusion as star forward Memphis Depay clashed with a fan.

Depay scored a late goal to secure a 2-2 draw against Leipzig that sent Lyon through to the knockout stages.

OH DEAR: Teen's incredible record marred by Champions League 'stinker'

'OUTRAGEOUS': Mohamed Salah goal lights up social media

However, the Dutchman was then incensed by a Lyon supporter who entered the field brandishing a banner that labelled Marcelo a donkey and urged the defender to "get lost".

It is part of an ongoing and increasingly tense dispute between the Brazilian defender and sections of the Lyon support who no longer want him at the club.

Depay sprinted half the length of the field and tried to yank the banner from the fan, who moved to the side and then backed off into the stands.

More Lyon players joined in to back up Depay and, although there were no physical altercations, Marcelo was shown on television aiming a pair of middle-finger gestures towards the crowd.

Depay, the club captain, was barely able to contain his anger when speaking to French broadcaster RMC Sport after the game.

"Look in my eyes. I'm upset, angry. I don't know what to say," the Netherlands international said.

"You know how hard it is for the team when we know that somebody on our team has troubles with the supporters? What do you expect from us?

"You go to the supporters and thank them and they say crazy, crazy things about somebody's family, somebody's kids.

"I have no words. It doesn't make sense."

‘Very difficult to keep myself calm’

He urged people "higher up in the club" to take appropriate action.

"It's very, very difficult to keep myself calm," Depay added.

"You can see on the camera, they (some of the fans) spit on us. What can I say? I've never seen something like this."

Lyon coach Rudi Garcia, who is unpopular with sections of Lyon's support having previously coached bitter rivals Marseille, backed Depay's intervention.

"He's a real captain and he's acted and spoken like a captain," Garcia said.

"It shows the strength and unity of this team."

On the field, Depay had underlined his growing value to Lyon with his 82nd-minute equaliser to maintain his record of scoring in every group game he's played so far.

Lyon’s qualification for the knockout phase was secured via a second place finish behind Leipzig, who led their match day six encounter 2-0 at halftime.

With AAP